Help! I changed the gender of the male protagonist in the yandere game

Like floating in the deepest darkness, Hyakusuke awoke from a sleep where he couldn't even dream.

He slowly opened his eyes, and as expected, it was dark.

Through the small, latticed window, he could see the outside world painted in pitch-black hues.

‘Night… is it…?’

His hazy consciousness gradually began to clear.

No, that's not right.

Hyakusuke gathered the scattered memories in his mind one by one, gradually understanding his situation.

He suddenly remembered that he had been captured by Mikado of Kurohime Mountain.

That's right, to be precise, he should have just been caught in the crossfire; Mikado of Kurohime Mountain’s real target was to capture and seal Tsukigahara Yoake.

“What the hell… why did I attract this guy here…”

Mikado is the former head of the Kurohime Mountain family.

“The problem is… why does the current Mikado of Kurohime Mountain think that Yoake is hindering the Kurohime Mountain clan?”

Hyakusuke was puzzled by this.

Because the story clearly hadn't reached that point yet…

He slowly got up from the ground, not knowing where he had fallen, and his muscles protested with sharp pain as he tried to exert himself. It didn't seem like anything was broken, but it would take some time before he could move.

Of course, he shouldn't be injured. Moreover, after consuming the mermaid flesh, his recovery ability was strong, but the pain wouldn't subside immediately.

He slowly surveyed his surroundings, realizing that he was probably in a dark room.

“The light… seems to be coming from that direction. Let's go take a look!”

Hyakusuke started walking, his feet stepping on wooden planks.

Following the guidance of the light, he found a paper sliding door with a crack open.

Hyakusuke slid open the paper door and entered a six-mat tatami room.

In the center of this old room with tatami mats was a dug-out space, a Japanese-style sunken hearth. It was covered in ashes, with charcoal firewood placed on it, and something seemed to be boiling, as heat wafted out the moment the door was opened.

It felt like someone had been here just a moment ago and had temporarily left for something.

Hyakusuke looked around, found nothing of interest, and left the room, exploring the dark corridor.

“…This isn't an ordinary space.”

He tried to use his spiritual energy wavelength to investigate, confirming that this wooden room was fortified by some kind of barrier technique, and even if he exerted all his strength, he wouldn't be able to break it.

“These windows are also fixed to the space, and that layer of darkness outside, I don't think it's just ‘darkness.’”

Hyakusuke stared outside the house, only feeling a sense of emptiness. He suspected that even if he escaped outside, he wouldn't find any foothold; the space outside this house might not even exist.

—Outside the house, there was only nothingness.

“After all, if it's that woman, she might really be able to do something like this.”

Mikado of Kurohime Mountain was the most powerful barrier art user in the entire game.

Due to her special constitution, not only could she maintain the appearance and physique of a young girl, appearing to be 'ageless,' but she could also accumulate powerful spiritual energy by absorbing the essence of plants and creatures—thanks to her vast spiritual power, she was able to focus her energy on barrier techniques.

It should be noted that barrier techniques are very spiritually taxing, and Mikado, due to her outstanding spiritual power, displayed tremendous power in barrier techniques.

It could be said that relying on her powerful spiritual energy and the dominance brought about by her specialization in barrier techniques, Mikado of Kurohime Mountain's strength in the early game was definitely superior to her two granddaughters, Kohagi and Kuzuha.

Halfway down the corridor, Hyakusuke heard a strange sound coming from behind him, the sound of claws scraping against the floor.

“Not good!”

He realized that he was being followed by someone and thrust out his spear.

“Nyaa nyaa miuu miuu——!!!”

The spiritual energy of the Seven-Section Spear pierced through the void, breaking an invisibility spell, and a huge cat head let out a shrill scream—it was a deformed monster with a giant cat head and eight spider-like legs.

It must have been hiding behind Hyakusuke, trying to ambush him from behind, but Hyakusuke had sensed its presence.

‘A Greater Demon of the Lower Ranks.’

The spear blade pierced the monster's right eye, and the monster cat let out a “Myaao” scream as its body swelled up.

Sharp, twisted spider limbs shot out.

Whoosh!

They missed.

Hyakusuke retreated and began to run.

“The terrain isn't suitable. In this narrow environment, it's difficult to wield my spear.”

He started running.

The spider cat chased after him frantically.

…

“…What troublesome monsters.”

After a fierce struggle, Hyakusuke finally managed to shake off the spider cat.

However, he was targeted by several other monsters. It seemed that there were many monsters in this strange space.

For example, the “Nurikabe” that could turn into walls and block people's progress;

And the “Shirouneri” that looked like a fluttering rag, specializing in suffocating people;

As well as “Inudōji,” “Hebi Obi,” “Seirei Oni,” “Mai Kubi,” and other monsters.

Hyakusuke didn't dare to get into a prolonged fight. He knew nothing about this place, and it would be dangerous if his spiritual energy were to run out after a long battle.

“What the hell is this place? Is it a place where monsters are collected and crammed together?”

He noticed a faint light in a certain direction, and he could vaguely hear a noisy sound—it sounded like the beating of gongs and drums, as well as the sound of shamisen and other instruments.

Hyakusuke ran as fast as he could, his footsteps swift and quick. He burst forward and kicked open the paper door.

However, the scene before him shocked him greatly.

The room was brightly lit, and there were many small monsters present. Several small monkeys were playing the flute, and tanuki were playing the taiko drums as accompaniment, like a small concert.

“Hahahahahahaha…”

A high-pitched laugh rang out. It was a petite girl sitting on a cushion, holding a wine cup and laughing unrestrainedly while being attended to by several shikigami in human form.

“Dance, dance~~ I told you to dance, not to cry. That sullen face is so ugly~~”

A girl dressed in an exotic dancer's outfit was on the verge of tears. She must have felt that the fabric of her clothes was too revealing, and her movements were awkward.

‘W-What the hell is going on here!?’

Hyakusuke, who had kicked down the door, had a completely dumbfounded expression.

“Waaah!”

Yoake suddenly noticed Hyakusuke barging in, screamed “Don't look at me,” and shrank into a corner.

“M-Mikado-sama, w-what exactly is this…?”

Hyakusuke looked at the petite girl sitting on the cushion, Mikado of Kurohime Mountain, with a questioning gaze.

“Oh… it's you?”

Mikado, or rather, the grandmother of Kohagi and Kuzuha, was the girl in black mourning clothes before him.

She should be around sixty or seventy years old, but her appearance was ridiculously young. She seemed to know Hyakusuke's identity.

“I remember you're Kuzuha's subordinate, right? That young man who recently became a Chunin?”

Mikado clapped her hands.

“Sorry, I didn't pay much attention to you before. When I set up the barrier, I accidentally pulled you in too… The internal space of this ‘House of Misdirection’ is chaotic. After entering, I didn't know your location, so I sent a few monsters to find you.”

Huh?

So those monsters were sent by you?

“Don't worry, they are also shikigami under my command and won't harm guests who enter here.”

Mikado explained with a smile, “Also, this huge house and the space itself are also my shikigami. It's called ‘House of Misdirection.’ You should have heard of the rumors about this monster, right…”

Hyakusuke was silent.

He remembered that it seemed like the official website's settings mentioned that Mikado possessed several powerful shikigami.

‘House of Misdirection? I think I remember it from ancient legends and anecdotes.’

In the island country's legends, there are often tales of “lost houses” in the deep mountains. Some people who stray into the mountains may encounter a luxurious mansion.

The livestock shed would have several horses and cows tied up, and chickens would be raised in the yard, creating a prosperous scene.

After entering the house, they would find wooden bowls and food laid out, and water boiling.

At this point, the people who entered would gradually feel afraid and flee back.

Afterwards, when they went to look for this mansion in the deep mountains, they would find nothing.

This phenomenon was called “House of Misdirection.” It was said that if you encountered it, you would be lucky if you could bring home anything from the house or any livestock…

“Actually, its true form is a giant monster that can mimic forms… This type of monster generates different spaces within itself and can also devour and absorb other monsters.”

Mikado said casually, “I used some tricks and finally subdued this ‘House of Misdirection,’ turning it into my own shikigami. The internal space of the ‘House of Misdirection’ can also be used as a prison, and some enemies who are harmful to the clan will be locked up here.”

“Then, is Yoake-sama, as a son-in-law, also an enemy harmful to the clan?”

Hyakusuke boldly questioned her.

According to the game's character settings, Mikado wasn't the type of character who was “stubbornly inflexible.” Even if it was a subordinate, she would accept beneficial suggestions.

‘Although her personality has a line that cannot be crossed, as long as you don't anger her, she's an easy person to communicate with…’

Hyakusuke wanted to persuade her.

“Depending on the situation, this little girl could also become a source of trouble for the clan, or rather, a trigger for internal strife.”

Mikado of Kurohime Mountain rested her chin on her hand.

“However, this time, I just intend to play with her a little and have no intention of harming her.”

Hyakusuke frowned, and he retorted, “Didn't you say something about ‘eliminating hidden dangers’ earlier?”

“Because I have a need to do so.”

Mikado of Kurohime Mountain gave a bitter smile.

“As I said, this little girl has already become a trigger for internal strife in the clan. Even if she is not aware of it, there are already people who see her as a thorn in their side and are planning to attack her. This time, I made a special trip to Kasumi City to deal with this matter.”

“Could you elaborate?”

Hyakusuke was quite puzzled when he heard this.

“Hmm… there's nothing to hide. My troublesome daughter will soon be ending her sankin-kōtai and returning to the main family from Kyoto. This time, her return will definitely cause conflict with Kohagi and Kuzuha's factions over the next head of the family.”

Mikado of Kurohime Mountain rubbed her temples, showing a headache.

“Miyuki, although she's my daughter, even I can't handle her personality… Moreover, I've already relinquished the throne of the head of the family, and my ability to interfere with the clan is limited. When she returns this time, she will definitely try to suppress Kohagi and Kuzuha.”

She continued, “I can roughly guess her plans and some of her tactics. This time, she will definitely make a big deal out of Yoake's current female transformation. Miyuki will likely demand the annulment of Kohagi and Yoake's engagement as soon as she returns, and then have Yoake marry Fujikakama. This way, she can secure her position as the head of the family and take the opportunity to strike at Kohagi's faction.”

Hyakusuke thought about it carefully and felt that it was indeed something that the head of the family, Miyuki, could do.

“Of course, this is still a relatively gentle method. My daughter may have other insidious methods, such as finding an opportunity to order the ‘Shell Serpent Troop’ to capture Yoake, and then use brainwashing, hypnosis, or drugs to mess her up before using her as a slave, thereby creating unfavorable circumstances for Kohagi's faction.”

Mikado frowned and muttered with a bitter face:

“In order to guarantee the safety of this little girl in advance, I can only resort to a last resort, capture her first, and ensure that she is in my hands. Although she will lose her personal freedom, her personal safety can be guaranteed.”

Protection?

Hyakusuke was somewhat surprised by Mikado's decision.

“Mikado-sama, but why are you determined to protect Yoake-sama?”

“Because she has that value.”

Mikado waved her hand.

“Little girl, come here~~”

When she said this, Yoake timidly scurried over.

“D-Do you have anything to say to me… Mikado-sama.”

“Little girl.”

Mikado suggested, “Would you like to become my disciple? I'm very interested in your ‘eyes.’ Based on my accumulated experience, I should be able to help you develop those ‘eyes.’”

“‘Eyes’?”

Yoake tilted her head cutely.

She didn't yet know the truth about her power.

“—The power of ‘Soul Shaving’ to that extent is just a byproduct of the ‘eyes’ you possess, and it's not even a remarkable power.”

Mikado explained, “As long as the little girl becomes my disciple, I can guide the essence of this profound power.”

Speaking of this, she chuckled and said, “In addition, I will also provide you with protection as a ‘protector.’ After all, I'm going to be your master, so I can handle this kind of small matter!”